Volunteer Vacation

No more romantic journey than one to a European castle. And if your journey also involves a way to help other people, you could find yourself enjoying your volunteer vacation even more. Bike or hike? I for one am really tempted as you can see by reading between the lines of my Garden and Hearth column. Find it under Travel Europe.

American non-profit organisation For A Cause Inc arranges cycling and walking tours in aid of charity. This year they have organised three trips to Europe. The Italian vacation is already filled unless you would like to travel as a crew member --but hurry as the positions are filling fast

However there are still a few places left for the bike and hike vacations in Ireland -- base camp at Ross Castle -- and in Spain where you'll be living in a fifteenth century Spanish castle in Catalunya.

You'll have to be fit for the cycling and moderately fit as a walker -- 60 miles in the five day adventure is the norm. The Travel Europe article this month has an overview of what's on offer and what you're volunteering to do -- raise $1500 by finding sponsore for your vacation.

Best of all, every cent of your sponsorship money goes to the designated charities in aid of AIDS and Breast Cancer. You can also nominate a non-profit charity of your own to receive a proportion of the money you raise.

Robert Webber, of For a Cause, first started cycling for AIDS charities over ten years ago. Although he had not been on a bike in ten years, he signed up for the Boston to New York, four day, 350 mile bike ride. In all he participated in 17 long distance bike rides to support AIDS charities.

In 2000, he started to feel conflicted about the discrepancy between the amount of money raised and the amount of money that actually reached the beneficiaries after organisational costs were deducted.

With For a Cause, the reasonable $1200 registration fee covers your castle accommodation, bike hire, breakfasts, most dinners, support vehicles and snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments en route.

If you choose to visit an Irish pub --certainly recommended --then you'll pay for your own Guinness.

If you're looking for a vacation with a difference or even simply wish to raise money for a favourite charity, Rob and George organise for private groups as small as 10. The registration fee stays the same but you can choose your own beneficiary safe in the knowledge that all your sponsorship money goes there.

It could be the added incentive to keep yout New Year Resolutions about keeping fit, staying healthy. Bike or Hike? Or perhaps, like me, dream on.